Yonkers: Saturday 8/3 Analysis

2019 STATS: 340 - 799 / $1,535.70 (-$62.30)
BEST BETS: 39 - 69 / $115.50 (-$22.50)
Best Bet: MAC’S JACKPOT (10th)
Spot Play: IDEAL COWBOY (5th)
Race 1 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(6) HALF A BILLION gave it a solid try first out for Banca shipping in from Saratoga but he got run over by a classy rival who already came back and won again; there is speed to his immediate inside that could make things tricky but he’s worth a play if the price is decent. (1) NOCTURNAL BLUECHIP bounced back quickly with a nice qualifier and although he’s still shut out of the win column this year has been facing better. (5) LORD OF MISRULE has generally been an underachiever but he fits well at this level. (2) STONEDUST has raced very well here in the past and on paper he’s a clear contender.
Race 2 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(2) PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER gets much-needed class relief, moves back inside and gets Bartlett back in the bike; Fanning trainee should be a better price than the logical (1) MACH IT SO, who clearly wasn’t cranked up last week from the eight hole but will be controlling the action here. (8) SPORTS COLUMN can go with these but the post presents an obvious problem; maybe with some luck he can hit the ticket. (4) ALL IT TAKES ships from The Meadowlands and may appreciate the change in scenery.
Race 3 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(1) ART HISTORY came up a little flat in the late stages last week but he draws well again and is a proven commodity at this level. (5) GILLYS BOY is inconsistent and hails from a 0% barn but he has Bartlett driving and does seem fast enough. (2) JENERAL PATTON has raced well here in the past and is a clear player, perhaps even the favorite. (6) SUNKEN TREASURE has clearly tailed off of late but he’s capable of better.
Race 4 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) STARS ALIGN A was right there at the wire last out at Saratoga versus two very good rivals and he was racing well in prior local starts; Allard trainee gets top billing tonight. (3) DOCTOR BUTCH didn’t factor in the same race as the top choice last out but he’s back at his preferred venue and Bartlett’s back driving. (1) HOT DEUCE has solid speed and could make things interesting early. (5) LIGHTNING ON MYFEET gets Brennan back in the bike and should be good for a small share.
Race 5 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(4) IDEAL COWBOY was very game in defeat last out, getting run over late by a classy rival; Holland’s choice should be aggressively handled again. (1) MOHAWK WARRIOR was a winner here two back beating a notch lower than these and this barn has been going well lately. (6) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N had zero excuse last week but at least the price will be much better tonight. (3) ARQUE HANOVER faces tougher but could save ground for a share.
Race 6 – Open Handicap Trot
(8) WILL TAKE CHARGE failed three back with little excuse then followed that up with two superb efforts; he’s rightfully assigned the eight hole here in this fairly soft Open field and Stratton should find a way to get him home. (7) IN SECRET never got involved last week but his prior form has been good and he does have good early speed to work with. (6) LORD CROMWELL is reunited with Bartlett and they tripped out two back to beat the top choice. (3) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN steps back up to the top level but is clearly good enough to land a share.
Race 7 – Open Handicap Pace
(3) OUR MAX PHACTOR N is coming off a sick scratch which makes me a bit nervous but hit prior efforts were excellent and the Harris trainee has a post edge on most of his main rivals. (8) MICKY GEE N is banished outside again despite not being able to reach in his last two. Any sort of live flow and he may explode home in time. (4) I’M SOME GRADUATE bumps back to the top level after coming back very sharp from vacation. (2) DR J HANOVER does have some speed and figures to be close the action.
Race 8 – 4YO Open Handicap Pace
(6) THE DOWNTOWN BUS does okay here with the outside draw and he has shown good early speed in the last; big chance here if Dube can get him in play. (3) ART DANCER has been close up in his last two and figures to be ignored in the wagering again. (2) CLOSING STATEMENT was in against some tough ones last out at The Meadowlands; this may be a better spot. (1) ROCKATHON isn’t all that reliable but he does draw best with Brennan driving.
Race 9 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) EPAULETTE A certainly hasn’t disgraced himself in any of his recent races and he returns locally for a live driver/trainer combo; consider if the price is healthy. (7) CAVIART LUCA has been racing well in the Open and now gets to drop to this more attractive level; Burke trainee is clearly the one to beat. (1) MAJOR CROCKER A may appreciate life one level lower but at least he draws best. (6) MACHIATTO A is up the class ladder again for Team Bongiorno looking for three straight.
Race 10 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(5) MAC’S JACKPOT went a huge trip in defeat here three back and followed that up with solid effort up at Saratoga; 5-year-old is clearly the one to beat here. (2) AMERICAN BOY N won easily on the front end last week and he’ll be right there again, perhaps even on the lead. (3) LACHIE MAGUIRE N just missed last out in a good try and Bartlett sticks with him. (4) LUCIANO N can save ground midpack and land a smaller piece.
Race 11 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(1) IN MY DREAMS was a bit overmatched in the Open last week but he returns to a more realistic level and overall he’s been a solid claim for the Laterza barn. (8) CASH ME OUT looked like his old self with last week’s jogola score; he can be considered despite another poor draw. (3) LINDSEY’S PRIDE has been razor-sharp but does face some more seasoned foes here. (2) WHETHER OR NOT FI has also been very good, and just missed from the eight hole last out.
Race 12 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
What do we do with (3) BIT OF A LEGEND N? he didn’t fire in his two return starts but those were against better and those races went faster than this will probably go. We’ll see if he’s ready to go tonight I guess. (4) DON DOMINGO N loses Stratton to the top choice (no surprise) and he should do better with this improved post. (7) OURLITTLEGENERAL A does fit with this type unfortunately the poor draw will probably limit the Allard trainee to a smaller share. (2) IN SPADES does land a good post and figures to be close to the front.

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